Washing machine



March 2, 1943. A A. LOCKE 'Y 2,312,657

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. WASHING MACHINE Arthur A. Locke, Detroit, Mich., assigner to Miner Laundry Machinery Company, Detroit, Mich.,

a. partnership Application .i1-*ne 27, 1941, serial No. 400,059

(ci. ss-14s) 6 Claims.

This invention relates to washing machines, and in particular it relates towashing machines of the continuous type More particularly, the invention relates to a washing machine which incorporates a rotating cylindrical barrel including helically disposed bafiles arranged in a manner to permit progressive movement of laundry axially through the barrel as the cylinder vis rotated.

Conventional laundrymachines and particularly commercial types of laundry machines generally consist of a perforated drum positioned within an outer container. The drum rotates a number of revolutions in one direction and a number of revolutions in an opposite direction. In all cases, these types of washing machines operate according to the batch system; that is, the

, laundry is placed within the machine, the Inachine is lled with hot water, a detergent added and the drum rotated for a predetermined period. After the washing operation is completed the water is drained from the container and fresh water added for purposes of rinsing the laundry. The rinsing cycle is usually repeated.

I n accordance with the practice of my invention, I provide means with which laundry may be introduced into a cylindrical container, which container rotates continuously throughout the cycle of its operation. Helically disposed bailles within the container pick up the laundry and drop it to the bottom of the container a considerable number of times. Each time the laundry is picked up by the baie it is advanced a slight distance forward depending upon the speed of rotation of the container until it is ultimately discharged at the outlet end of the container. rlhe lower portion of the container retains water at a predetermined level and the volume of water decreases in the direction of the outlet end until it reaches a point spaced from the outlet end at which point no water is retained by the container. By this arrangement it is possible, with the inclusion of a continuous water inlet spaced from the outlet end of the container, to provide a movement of the Washing water which continuously removes the scum from the surface of the water and otherwise maintains the water in a cleaner state. A supply means functions to inject a predetermined amount of detergent continuously through the inlet end of the container.

Among the objects and advantages of my invention are to provide a washing machine which will operate continuously and progressively; to provide a washing machine in which the washing water receives a continuous supply of fresh water; to provide a washing machine in which the scum or s'urface water impurities are removed continuously during the operation of the machine; to provide a washing machine in which the washing operation and rinsing operation are carried on progressively in the same container; to provide a washing machine which progressively washes, rinses and removes the surplus water from the laundry before it is discharged from the washing machine; and, to provide a washing machine which may be manufactured and operated efficiently and economically.

These and other objects and advantages will appear more fully in the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a continuous washing machine embodying my inven l tion;

Figure 2 is an enlarged elevational view thereof in longitudinal section; and,

Figure 3 is an enlarged transverse view in-:sec-

tion taken along lines III-III of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawing and in particular to Figure 1, I show an embodiment of my invention in the form of a cylindrical sleeve I supported in a. plane slightly inclined from the horizontal by a plurality of Wheels 2 positioned so as to cradle the cylinder I. Preferably, the wheels-2 are in the form of pneumatic tires so as to impart quiet' operation to the rotation of the cylinder I. A pair of structural channels 3 and 4 circumscribe the cylinder I and function as tracks which engage with the wheels 2. Each wheel 2 is rotatably supported by a -bracket 5 mounted on platforms 6 extending from the floorline l.

At least one of the wheels 2 is driven, and the driven wheel imparts rotary motion to the cylinder I by frictional engagement therewith. A shaft 8 extending from one of the wheels 2 connects through a coupling 9 to a conventional gear reduction unit IIl including a motor II. As with conventional units of this kind the motor and reduction unit may be controlled so as to result in a selective choice of speeds for rotating the cylinder I.

As shown in Figure 2, the cylinder I forms the principal housing and structural member of the continuous washing machine. The cylinder, as

cradled by the wheels 2, is maintained at a slightly higher elevation at its outlet end than at its inlet end; these end openings inthe cylinder being otherwise designated as right hand and left hand ends, respectively. Experiments have indicated that good results may be obtained by maintaining an angle of approximately three degrees vfrom the horizontal or oor line.

The inlet end of the cylinder I is provided with an opening I2 which is slightly smaller than the internal diameter of the cylinder.l This restricted end is formed in part by an end wall `I2 and a flanged member I4 which flares outwardly from the end wall. The purpose of the restricted aperture I2 at the inlet end of the cylinder is to maintain a water level line, as indicated by the numeral I5. The over-flow of water from within the cylinder runs through the aperture I2 and down the ange I4 into a -trough I6 from whence it is carried to a drain. An extension wall I1 forming a continuation of the end wall I3, among other purposes, forms a bearing surface 4which engages with a vertically free rotating roller I8 supported from the floor by a bracket I9. The roller I8 serves as a thrust member for maintaining the cylinder in a uniform position in respect to horizontal movement.

In order to maintain a greater volume of water in the cylinder I, an additional reservoir 2li is associated with the inlet end of the cylinder by means of a spaced co-axial sleeve 2I joining the end plate extension end I1 and 'including a'wall 22 located at the opposite end for completing the enclosure. A plurality of holes or perforations 23 extend through the wall of the cylinder I forming communications to the reservoir 20. By this arrangement it is possible'to include a greater volume of water within the cylinder I for purposes of increasing the medium into which particles of impurities or foreign matter may be suspended during the washing cycle. A drain plug 40 communicates through the. wall of the sleeve 2I for purposes of draining the reservoir 20 in a manual operation, if so desired. p

At the opposite or outlet end of the cylinder I a portion 24 of the cylinder Wall tapers inwardly resulting in a smaller outlet diameter 4I at the outlet end as compared with the general internal diameter of the cylinder. The purpose of this tapered effect at the outlet end is to provide means for the introduction of water at a point spaced from the outlet end. To accomplish this, I provide a cylindrical sleeve 25 circumscribing the tapered wall 24 in spaced relation and forming a union with the principal wall of the cylinder I` by means of an end enclosure plate 26. At the opposite end of the sleeve 25 a partial end wall 21 forms a continuation of the wall 25 but permits an opening 28 having a diameterv which allows a space between the opening 28 and the outer surface of the wall 24. This opening permits the entrance of a conduit 29 from which Water and preferably hot water may be injected at a rate of ilow controllable by `a valve 30. As

the water is injected from the conduit 29 it collects in the lower reservoir formed by the sleeve 25 and enters the interior of the cylinder I through a plurality of perforations 3I formed through the wall of the cylinder I at a point spaced a substantial distance from the outlet end of the washing unit.- By introducing the inlet water at a point spaced from the outlet end, the continuous washer removes from the materials washed therein excessive amounts of Water before the Washed materials are ejected from the apparatus.

Within the cylinder I and attached thereto are a plurality of baiiles 32 extending helically throughout the length of the cylinder and its continuation wall 24. These bailies contain perforations 33, and cutaway portions 34 at the base thereof, so as not to restrict too greatly the movement of water by reason of the presence of the baiiies. The pitch of each baille is such that the pitch is equal to the length of the complete cylinder.

The direction of rotation of the cylinder is indicated by the directional line 35. In other words, the article of laundry represented by the numeral 35 in the position illustrated is being moved upwardly, due to the rotation of the cylinder. It is in this position that the article 36, as it is picked up by the baille 32, slides slightly forward toward the outlet end of the cylinder before the article is dropped or released from the baille 32. Soap or other detergent is entered into the cylinder I at the inlet end by means of a nozzled conduit 31. For purposes of entering .clothing or laundry into the cylinder a conventional type of conveyor 38 may be employed and I2 in the inlet end of the cylinder. A guide pan or slideway 38 is located at the outlet end of the cylinder for guiding the washed laundry into a receptacle or other means for disposing of the Wet laundry.

In the operation of the continuous washing machine, the cylinder I is caused to rotate at the desired speed and the valve is controlled so as to cause a steady flow of hot water into the cylinder. To reach the cylinder, the hot Water enters the cylinder through the perforations 3I spaced from the outlet end. Due to the inclination of the cylinder the water runs towards the lower end of the cylinder until it overflows vover the inlet aperture I2 and into drain trough I6. A suitable detergent is caused to flow through the conduit 31 and the washing machine is in receptive position for articles to be washed. Clothing or other laundry is placed on the conveyor 38 and is moved to the interior of-the cylinder where it is dumped olf the end of the conveyor. Thereafter, the baiil'es 32 pick up the articles of laundry until the baille reaches a position where its angles of inclination is no longer capable of sustaining the articles. The article thereupon drops to the bottom of the cylinder. Before the article is dropped from the baille it reaches a point where the angle of the baille, in respect to the horizontal, is the steepest, such as illustrated by the article 36. at which point the article slides slightly forward before it is 'dropped to the bottom of the cylinder. tation of the cylinder determines the distance in which the article will slide forward; the slower the speed the greater the movement forward. By controlling the speed of rotation of the-cylinder the speed with which the article moves can be controlled with a great degree of accuracy. Tests have indicated that the article on an average may be moved forward a distance of about one-half inch per rotating cycle or up to several inches forward in each rotating cycle.

It has also been found that by increasing the speed of the cylinder the article can be made to maintain an equilibrium point or it can be made g to move backwards. This is due tothe fact that, at the faster speeds, the article will not slide forward on'the baille but will drop to the base of the cylinder, and, due to the inclination of the cylinder, a resultant backward movement of the article is attained. While it is preferred to move the articles of laundry progressively in a continuous washing cycle, it is possible to vary the speed of rotation-M ,Qie cylinder through the this conveyor may extend through the opening The speed of rowashing cycle so as to retain the articles within the washer for any desired period.

It has been demonstrated that the continuous lifting of the article out of a shallow bed of water and the intermittent drop of the article back into the water produces an excellent condition for cleansing the article. It has been found that this method'of Washing presents new surfaces of the article to be exposed for Washing and prevents the article from becoming tangled.

or otherwise subject to a localized scrubbing action. As the articles of laundry move progressively forward they pass into the tapered area near the outlet end at which location there is an absence of washing iiuid, nevertheless the baffies in this region act upon the laundry to raise the articles and in an intermittent dropping operation eifectively beat the water therefrom. By this arrangement much of the surplus Water is removed from the article and it is iinallyeiected from the outlet end in a dripless state.

While I have thus shown and described a preferred embodiment of my invention, it is believed apparent that I have provided a novel arrangement for continuously and efficiently washing articles of laundry, and it is intended to include those modications which appear within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention what I claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:4

l. A washing machine comprising Aa tumbling barrel having open inlet and outlet ends, means for rotatably supporting the barrel in an inclined position, driving means attached to one of the barrel supports for rotating the barrel, a helical baille attached to the inner wall ofthe barrel and extending throughout the length of the barrel, and a sleeve positioned concentrically and in spaced relation with the outer surface of the barrel at the outlet end to form a partially enclosed chamber, said sleeve being attached to and rotatable with the barrel, said barrel at a spaced distance from the outlet end having a plurality of apertures extending through the barrel wall and communicating with said partially enclosed chamber.

2. A Washing machine comprising a tumbling barrel having open inlet and outlet ends, means for rotatably supporting the barrel in an inclined position, driving means attached to one of the barrel supports for rotating the barrel, a helical baille attached to the inner wall of the barrel extending throughout the length of the bar-g "'rel. and a cylindrical wall positioned concentrically and in spaced relation with the outer surface of the barrel at the inlet end to form an enclosed chamber, said wall being attached to and rotatable with the barrel', said barrel having a plurality of perforations through the barrel wall forming communications with the enclosed chamber.

3."A washing machine comprising a tumbling barrel having open inlet and outlet ends, means for rotatably supporting the barrel in an inclined position, driving means attached to one of the barrel supports for rotating the barrel, a, helical baiiie attached to the inner wall of the barrel and extending throughout the length of the barrel, a sleeve positioned concentrically and in spaced relation with the outer surface of the barrel at the outlet end to form a partially enclosed chamber, said sleeve being attached to and rotatable with the barrel, said barrel at a spaced distance from the outlet end having a plurality of apertures extending through the barrel wall and communicating with said partially enclosed chamber, and a cylindrical wall positioned concentrically and in spaced relation with the outer sur face of the barrel at the inlet end to form an enclosed chamber, said barrel having a plurality of perforations through the barrel wall forming communications with the enclosed chamber.

l4,-A washing machine comprising a liquid retaining sleeve tumbling barrel having open inlet and outlet ends, means for rotatably supporting the barrel into an inclined position, driving means attached to one of the barrel supports for rotating the barrel, a helical baille attached to the innerwall of the barrel and extending throughout the length of the barrel, means spaced from the outlet end of the barrel for introducing uid through the sleeve wall and into the barrel during rotation of the barrel, and a cylindrical wall positioned concentrically and in spaced relation with the outer surface of the barrel atl the inlet barrel and extending throughout the length of the barrel, and a sleeve positioned concentrically and in spaced relation with the outer surface of the barrel at the outlet end to form a partially enclosed chamber, said walibeing attached to and rotatable with the barrel, said barrel at a spaced distance from the outlet end having a plurality of apertures extending through the barrel wall and communicating with said partially enclosed chamber, the wall'of said barrel forming an inwardly tapering sleeve extending substantially from the point of said apertures extending through the barrel wall tothe outlet end.

6. A washing machine comprising a tumbling barrel having open inlet and outlet ends, means f or rotatably supporting the barrel in aninclined position, driving means attached to one of the barrel supports for rotating the barrel, a helical baille attached to the inner wall of the barrel and extending throughout the length of i having a large opening therethrough, said meansy for supporting the barrel providing an inclina tion whereby an imaginary horizontal line is formed from the lower edge of said end wall opening to substantially the lower point of said apertures.

ARTHUR A. LOCKE. 

